The Yankees Need to Trust Their Young Guys Rather Than Pick from the Scrap Heap

By

(Contributor) on March 16, 2013

How many trips will Hafner make to the DL?

Travis Hafner is one of the latest cheap veteran mercenaries the Yankees hired on one year deals
J. Meric/Getty Images

This week’s acquisition of outfielders Brennan Boesch and Ben Francisco, recently released from their respective squads, means only one thing concerning the New York Yankees‘ attempts to improve their roster: They continue to be content with picking from the scrap heap rather than trusting their young upcoming prospects.

In the offseason, starting catcher Russell Martin and starting right-fielder Nick Swisher, along with important bench pieces in Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez all left to free agency. Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson have all suffered injuries and will be out for at least a month and a half (In A-Rod’s case, perhaps the entire year).

With no ML starting catcher, no regular CF (Brett Gardner will switch from LF to the 8 spot for Grandy), and half the infield gone, the Yankees are in dire straits, and have done a very poor job to replace them.

With Teixeira and Rodriguez out, former Red Sox nemesis Kevin Youkilis looks to carry the load at 1B and 3B along with Eduardo Nunez and returning Yankee Juan Rivera. Rivera, Matt Diaz, and the recently signed Boesch and Ben Francisco will compete for the fourth outfielder spot. The catching duties will be apparently shared between Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart.

I don’t think I have to pull up any numbers to make it clear that all these guys are mediocre at best. Even Youkilis struggled in 2012 with both Sox squads, hitting .235 with a 99 OPS+, both career lows. Injury plagued for the last couple of years, he could still be a good pickup if healthy

But the fact is, the Yankees could have simply brought some youth up to help deal with these injuries rather than waste what little money they allowed themselves to spend this past winter.

Gary Sanchez and other top Yankee prospects are still a year or two away
Nick Laham/Getty Images

Keith Law’s 2013 edition of his annual Top 100 prospects has four Yankees prospects on it. Catcher Gary Sanchez and outfielders Mason Williams, Tyler Austin and Slade Heathcott could have helped the Yankees in their situation if they were ready, but they all seem to be another year or two or perhaps three away.

As a result, the Yankees should look for help from less touted players, preferably right-handed to off-set the likes of Ichiro, Granderson, and Hafner. There are a few players in Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that can easily fill the empty spots on the Yankees’ major league roster in the Bronx until those injured can return.

Of course, the favorite to help fill in the holes the Yankees have is Eduardo Nunez, a lazy choice at best. His 88 OPS+ is not nearly enough to make up for his atrocious, Chuck Knoblauchian defense. He is not the answer at third base with both Teixeira and A-Rod out.

One guy that can fill some holes in both the OF and 3B is Ronnier Mustelier, a 28-year-old Cuban defector with just 150 games and 595 at-bats under his belt. However, he has impressed with the bat, putting up an impressive .324/.378/.488/.859 line with 18 HR, 96 RBI and 19 stolen bases in those games climbing up the system.

Despite being mediocre or average at best with the glove, Mustelier can still play both 3B and LF, so Brett Gardner can take over CF with Ichiro in right. Mustelier’s hitting skills are too solid to ignore, and he more than deserves to come up with the big league club in April, especially over Nunez.

Slugging Cuban defector Ronnier Mustelier could be the answer at 3B and in the OF
J. Meric/Getty Images

A guy who deserves a chance to become the Yankees’ fourth outfielder is Melky Mesa. Yes, that’s right. Another Melky. He is just 26 years old and broke out in 2012 at Double-A and Triple-A, hitting 23 HR, slugging .480, stealing 22 bags, and putting up an .805 OPS. What you also get with him, however, is a long swing causing a lot of strikeouts and not a lot of walks. Still, he’s still a very good option as a fourth OF and should win the job over the likes of Matt Diaz, Juan Rivera, Boesch or Francisco.

Another OF option is Zolio Almonte, 23. He hit 21 HR in 2012 at Trenton and could find his way to the big leagues if he continues to improve. He has played all three OF positions regularly, primarily right, but should have no problem if asked to play left at Yankee Stadium, as difficult as it surprisingly is. Like Mesa, however, he strikes out a lot and walks very sparingly.

If Nunez is not the answer (most likely) at utility infielder, another kid may be a better option. Corban Joseph, just 24 years old, could eventually find himself as the starting second baseman for the New York Yankees if Robinson Cano leaves after this year. Joseph has only played second in recent years but improved with the bat in 2012

If he ever (that is, EVER) gets healthy, a potential dark horse option for the infield eventually could be David Adams. He has been plagued by injuries for much of his professional career, which caused a potential Yankee trade for Cliff Lee in 2010 to be killed.

Lastly, and most unlikely is the catcher’s spot. The job looks as if it will be shared by Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart, two seriously flawed and poor at best MLB players. Both have absolutely no business starting for the New York Yankees. They’re both backups at ABSOLUTE BEST.

Melky Mesa could be a great option as a 4th outfielder
Elsa/Getty Images

The best option the Yankees have right now at catcher may be another minor leaguer, 24-year-old Austin Romine. He was limited last year due to back problems, and so far hasn’t fully developed his hitting skills. But between him, Cervelli and Stewart, Romine may be the best option defensively, so it makes sense after dealing with Jorge Posada starting for over 14 years.

Sadly, it’s likely that these guys won’t be able to get a chance to help the club, as the Yankees continue to go with the scrap heap to fill their holes. Worked out sometimes and sometimes not. They basically replaced Johnny Damon with the likes of Randy Winn and Austin Kearns in 2010. Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon somehow managed to replace Andy Pettitte’s production in 2011. Andruw Jones, Raul Ibanez, and Eric Chavez did well as bench pieces last two years.

But now should be the time for that to end, with the core players of this team aging and getting ready for the end of their careers (Mariano Rivera). The Yankees can’t plug their leaky holes with old vets anymore. There needs to be a youth movement in the organization, eventually centering around the likes of Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams and Tyler Austin.

But with those three two years away, less touted guys need to step in and help. Who knows? Ivan Nova did well in 2011 and David Phelps looks to make his mark now. There could be guys just like them waiting for their chance, but the Yanks need to give it to them.

Flag

Props (0)

New York Yankees: Like this team?

14 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

hurlston richardson 2027701 posted about 13 hours ago 1363453480 12760453 hurlston Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

I completely agree with this article….signing guys of other MLB teams scrap heap is a very hit or miss……we need to use this opportunity to figure out if what we have at the AAA level can play in the majors, if they can’t send em back down or trade em….that is more fiscally responsible than signing someone who failed on another major league team and being stuck with paying them, no matter how small the salary….use our youngsters and find out what we have

1 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

James Mooney 107983 posted about 19 hours ago 1363432287 12756988 James Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

Agreed Brandon,
That’s what triple A should be for, to infuse youth to cover injuries. You never know when you may find the next Cano or Gardner. Give them a shot!

1 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Howard Schloss 2107384 posted about 16 hours ago 1363443201 12758163 12756988 Howard Contributor I 6 replies collapsed

I wouldn’t mind finding the next Cano but we certainly don’t need another Brett Gardner. The guy sucks and has no business being our starting CF.

CF has always been a signature position of NY Yankee baseball. The Yankees have a proud tradition of Center Fielders from Earle Combs to Mickey Mantle to Joe Dimaggio to Bobby Murcer to Bernie Williams.

Brett Gardner is a punch and Judy hitter playing a power position who should either be a defensive replacement or a pinch runner. You should probably never even mention this little puke in the same breath as Robinson Cano again. We should have Tori Hunter patrolling CF right now, not this little turd of a pinch runner. It’s a disgrace to our ballclub and yet another way we’ve allowed our standards as an organization to deteriorate.

I wouldn’t mind finding the next Cano but we certainly don’t need another Brett Gardner. The guy sucks and has no business being our starting CF.

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Contributor I Brandon Mauk 349763 posted about 15 hours ago 1363446971 12758866 12758163 Brandon Contributor I 1 reply collapsed

Gardner definitely doesn’t suck. Guy grinds out every AB, takes a lot of walks, steals lots of bases, and is an outstanding defender. Yankees need a guy like him.

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Adam Greene 2191275 posted about 11 hours ago 1363463611 12762718 12758163 Adam Contributor I 1 reply collapsed

I’m not even sure where to being, though your ignorance and arrogance speaks volumes

Gardner is exactly who we should have leading off and patrolling center field he speed, high OBP, and outstanding defence are ideal

I’m not even sure where to being, though your ignorance and arrogance speaks volumes

Gardner is exactly who we should have leading off and patrolling center field he speed, high OBP, and outstanding defence are ideal

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Mike Bradbury 1841436 posted about 10 hours ago 1363467277 12763533 12758163 Mike Contributor I 1 reply collapsed

LOL, it’s fans like you that suck.
Gardner is one of the true “gamers” on this team.
If you knew baseball, you’d understand how important that is. 😉

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Baseball Wiz 1755653 posted about 8 hours ago 1363474742 12765097 12758163 Baseball Contributor I 1 reply collapsed

Every article I read, I see your stupid little comments. First of all, don’t say we when talking about a team unless you are receiving paychecks from them. Secondly, Gardner sucks? He’s been hurt a lot, but he definately doesn’t suck. One more thing is that center field isn’t a power position. Center field is definately more of a speed position. One final thing…TORII (2 i’s) Hunter in Center? Is that a joke? The guy is 37 years old. He is not an everyday center fielder anymore. Could he play? of course he could. He’s a great fielder, but at this point in his career, he is a corner outfielder. I can’t see you actually being a Yankee fan.

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Timothy Borcelis 620092 posted about 8 hours ago 1363474103 12764945 Timothy Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

Yes please. Trust the farm, please. It gave us Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite, Ramiro Mendoza, Orlando Hernandez, Bernie Willams, Lou Gehrig, to name a few.

To those who doesn’t get the name drop, all these men started their playing (and some, ended) careers with the Yankees.

Yes please. Trust the farm, please. It gave us Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite, Ramiro Mendoza, Orlando Hernandez, Bernie Willams, Lou Gehrig, to name a few.

To those who doesn’t get the name drop, all these men started their playing (and some, ended) careers with the Yankees.

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

len margolin 1035442 posted about 16 hours ago 1363442707 12758097 len Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

YES!

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Juan Gowanus 1716610 posted about 12 hours ago 1363456981 12761254 Juan Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

According to reports, Matt Nokes is still available this spring.

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

James Antonicello 2190480 posted about 15 hours ago 1363446425 12758759 James Contributor I 1 comment collapsed

This is article is just awful! It’s poorly written, hard to understand and just plain factually incorrect. Bleacher report – You should be able to do better than this!

0 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Contributor I Brandon Mauk 349763 posted about 15 hours ago 1363446554 12758794 12758759 Brandon Contributor I 3 replies collapsed

Care to explain why?

1 : Like

Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment

Charlie Jones 832621 posted about 7 hours ago 1363475693 12765309 12758794 Charlie Contributor I 1 reply collapsed: Give young guys like Mustelier a go over old guys like Boesch? Mustelier is 28, Boesch is 27. I agree that Mustelier is worth a shot, but a major league experienced OF is more likely to make it that an unproven minor leaguer, surely?

Give young guys like Mustelier a go over old guys like Boesch? Mustelier is 28, Boesch is 27. I agree that Mustelier is worth a shot, but a major league experienced OF is more likely to make it that an unproven minor leaguer, surely?

0 : Like Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment
James Antonicello 2190480 posted less than a minute ago 1363488456 12767884 12758794 James Contributor I 1 comment collapsed: When the basic premise of an article is based on all negative conclusions and characterizes players who have performed consistently for long periods as mediocre, I am suspect. Additionally some of these scenarios have already played out with spring training proving these kids are not ready. The Yankees have a tough juggling act. Field a team that can be competitive until the injured players return and do that within a budget. Difficult but not impossible. This team will be competitive and contend this year. They have quality pitching top to bottom and some very capable players. Some of these retreads will provide stopgap support and bench depth later in the year! If you listen to the pundits, we should not bother playing this year!

When the basic premise of an article is based on all negative conclusions and characterizes players who have performed consistently for long periods as mediocre, I am suspect. Additionally some of these scenarios have already played out with spring training proving these kids are not ready. The Yankees have a tough juggling act. Field a team that can be competitive until the injured players return and do that within a budget. Difficult but not impossible. This team will be competitive and contend this year. They have quality pitching top to bottom and some very capable players. Some of these retreads will provide stopgap support and bench depth later in the year! If you listen to the pundits, we should not bother playing this year!

0 : Like Reply Flag as Offensive Edit Delete Highlight comment